The La Jolla half is the second race of the Triple Crown (Carlsbad Half, La Jolla Half, America's Finest City Half). This course is BEAUTIFUL! It is also a very challenging course, as it has a little over a mile straight up starting at mile 6. This challenging uphill goes through

I actually did the Aloha Readiness Series races a few different years. These are very basic and done very cheaply ("bring your own toilet paper" cheap and yes, there is a story to go with that!) But their intention is to help you train for a longer race and

"Ran this in 2013 and 2014. Last year, I followed it with the NYCM the following week.

Fairly standard NYRR race -- typical packet pick-up/ race start/ corral set-up/ run through Central Park.

The difference is the vibe. Given the ""kick-off"" to marathon week, all of the runners are pretty excited.